[Newt smiles and leads the way while Lady gives a happy little bark at being picked up, kicking her legs merrily and yipping at Duke. Look at how high up she is!
As soon as the group enters they'll be somewhat swarmed by the little ones still in the house at the moment, Pamela the Oddish leading the group as she skips right up to Petey and chirps in greeting. Landing on the ground behind her Beau the Swoobat waves sleepily with a wing while, from the open kitchen area, the Audino Triplets all call out greetings as they finish doing the dishes.]
Honestly I would have been surprised if she wasn't a little bit. From what I've heard it looked as though many of the Pokemon trapped in that place had been there for awhile. Perhaps she would rather--
[It's one little Pokemon in particular that makes Newt pause suddenly, the sight of him out when a stranger is present rather rare.
Montague the Elekid, Newt's own Team Rocket rescue, is peering out from behind one of the armchairs by the fireplace. His gaze is focused on Electrike and he let's out a low humming-like noise, some brief electrical charges going between the prongs on his head.]
...Toni, this is Montague. Montague, that's Toni.
[The Elekid ducks behind the chair slightly, looking at Newt then to Diana before finally peering at Toni again.]
Some of my companions found him in Goldenrod after the incident.
[Petey looks up at Pamela for a moment before becoming engrossed with batting at her leaves as Isla nods in greeting to Beau.
Diana watches Newt pause and watch the yellow Pokemon. As he gives a brief explanation she shifts uncomfortably and tries to squash the guilty feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Toni dithers from between Lana's legs, wide, scared eyes fixed on Montague.]
[Pamela seems quite alright with this and just giggles up a storm as her leaves are batted at, bobbing back and forth to make them bounce.
Sorry, Diana. He's not doing it on purpose.
Montague watches Toni and let's out another soft noise, ducking behind the chair only to reappear a moment later with something clutched to his chest.
A pink poffin.
He churrs softly at Toni and takes a few hesitate steps forward, pausing to look at Diana then to Newt, eyeing them both before he makes it just past the chair. It's there that he stops and puts the poffin down, peering at Toni as electricity crackles between his head prongs--
And then he's ducking behind the chair again.
Newt smiles softly.]
This is actually the most I've seen him engage with anyone outside of the Colony. He's been rather apprehensive about all of us.
[Diana worries her bottom lip with her teeth slightly as she mumbles.] Survivors are just drawn to each other, I guess.
[Toni cautiously takes some shaky steps towards the poffin, sniffing it carefully. She picks it up and retreats back to Lana to eat it.
Diana forces herself back into a more aloof tone.]
Toni doesn't really hang with anyone but the dogs for longer than five minutes either.
[With the poffin eaten, Toni begins looking for Montague again. Sniffing at the chair from a distance and trying to move a little closer, letting out a soft whine.]
[Not noticing how out of sorts Diana seems, Newt carefully steps towards the kitchen once Toni has the poffin to gather up some tea.]
It probably has quite a bit to do with the pack mentality. They offer a sense of security for such a small creature that's been hurt. Many creatures are like that--packs, flocks, herds--there's strength in numbers and everyone can help care for one another.
[As he's going on and gathering things up, Montague pokes his head around the chair again when he hears that whine. The skinny little Elekid slowly creeps out, letting out a buzzing hum at the other Pokemon. He stops at the front of the chair and glances at Diana nervously, clearly thinking Lana is Roxy right now. Unsure of what to do the baby Pokemon sits down and his prongs crackle nervously as he looks at Toni.]
[Diana makes to follow Newt, giving the Pokemon space and glad that Newt's filling the air with his chatter. More than happy to simply listen.
Toni steps out from Lana's legs again to come over to the Elekid. She keeps her body low, practically crawling and rolls onto her back at the slightest movement.]
[Newt's just going to continue to tell her all about groups of animals and how they care for one another, even going as far as to talk about some of the creatures he had cared for back home.]
--take Graphorns, for example. Family units are extremely important to them and the development of their offspring. They are very tight knit groups and take turns caring for young, finding suitable areas to feed and the like. I wish I could have rescued more but the small family I have in my care has been doing wonderfully.
[At some point Diana will end up with a cup of tea placed in front of her at the little breakfast bar in the kitchen, Queenie sliding over a plate of cookies as well with a happy twill.
Eat up!
In the main room Montague let's out a distressed sound as Toni rolls onto her back and slowly crawls over to sit a bit closer. His prongs pulse as he chatters at her softly, trying to reassure her that it's okay even if he's clearly startled and scared himself.]
You most likely won't have much of a say in it, overall.
[Newt glances over at her with a smile.]
I have a feeling Lana is quite content to keep her pack growing.
[Montague tenses slightly when she sniffs his arm only to relax the next moment as she licks his hand. He let's out a happy sound and moves to lay on his side beside her, reaching out to bop her snout gently.]
[Newt can't help but muffle a laugh, sliding over a mug of tea now before cradling his own.]
I can imagine it would be rather difficult.
[Though it's not like he's much better off most of the time.
Montague let's out a little snort and returns it with a jolt of his own, resting his paw against her neck now clearly not intending to move away now that he's here.]
Ugh, it's the worst. And then I get people looking at me weird as I drag these bags of kibble and butcher scraps to just outside town. Probably looks like I'm off to feed my secret deformed twin with super human strength...
[Toni gently lifts her head just enough to rest it upon Montague's small leg. She lets out a heavy sigh and closes her eyes peacefully.]
Good morning, Newt. While you're camped out on Route 47, snuggled in your sleeping bag in the tent you're sharing, Ivy is going to rouse you with some gentle kisses to your lips and freckled cheeks, possibly sliding around to your ear and down your neck if she finds you don't wake fast enough.
"Happy Valentine's, my petal."
Forgive me for not responding before I got stuck on Noct
If there's one good thing that's come out of being on the road with Pamela it's that Newt has become even more comfortable with her. So being woken up like that--okay, so he was still Newt and he still shudders, slowly come out of his dreams, lured into a waking state by each kiss pressed to his cheeks and then his ears and then his neck and--
Oh now hold on.
His eyes crack open and he let's out a soft noise, half protest and half satisfied as he tries to turn towards her.
"Happy Valentine's, Pamela...is it Valentine's already?"
[When Newt answers the phone Diana is looking down the screen like she's on the verge of breaking. You can almost see her screaming from behind her eyes.]
He let out a quiet sound that was one part thoughtful and one part content as Ivy continued her caresses.
"It is rather comfortable. Here with you, right now, I mean," he murmured, smiling faintly as he gazed at her through lidded eyes and reached up brush some of her hair back. "Though I suppose we should get the day started sooner or later.."
[Diana runs her hand across her face and turns the camera. Lana, Fluke and Joy sit proudly among a literal pile of eggs. (And there's Ingno, being a good nanny dog as always and keeping the curious older puppies away.)]
There's twenty two, Newt. Twenty two! I mean, I think, I dunno, I keep losing count.
It's too may. I can't. You said you'd help with the pack.
[Diana is jabbing an accusing finger at the females.]
I told you to slow down! What the hell is this shit?
"There's no rush." She leans into his touch, her hand sliding down to idly play with the collar of his pajama shirt.
"Though, of course I do have my gifts to give you. But they're nothing that can't wait." Her lips touch to his again as his top button is undone, allowing her to softly stroke his neck and feel how warm he his waking from his slumber.
Newt is quiet for a moment as he just stares, torn between amusement and feeling really, really bad for Diana. This is something he's use to but it's pretty obvious that this is far beyond what she's prepared for. Or ready for.]
Of course. Whatever you need me to do I am more than happy to do, Diana. Would you--assuming the ladies there are alright with it--do you want me to take some of them?
Page 8 of 11